Benjamin Netanyahu ousted as Israeli PM, ends 12-year rule of Jewish state

Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest serving Israeli leader, was ousted as prime minister on Sunday after the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, voted to form a new government made up of a coalition of opposition groups pledging to heal caustic divisions caused by Netanyahu’s 12-year rule.Netanyahu had failed to form a government after a March 23 election — the fourth in two years — and could not block the power-sharing agreement between the groups, headed by his former defense minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid.Bennett and Lapid will each serve two years as prime minister on a rotating basis.Bennett was sworn in immediately after the 60-59 vote. The bond that unites our people is evidence of our shared values and decades of close cooperation and as we continue to strengthen our partnership, the United States remains unwavering in its support for Israel’s security,” Biden said.The White House later said Biden called Bennett and offered the new prime minister his “warm congratulations.”Biden highlighted his intention to “deepen cooperation between the United States and Israel on the many challenges and opportunities facing the region,” the White House said.The leaders agreed that they and their teams would consult closely on all matters related to regional security, including Iran, the White House said and to advance “peace, security and prosperity” for Israelis and Palestinians.Speaking earlier Sunday, Naftali thanked Netanyahu for his “lengthy and achievement-filled service on behalf of the State of Israel” and pledged to be prime minister for “all Israelis.”Naftali said the new government would “end a terrible period of hatred among the people of Israel” in a speech that prompted shouts of “shame” and “liar” from Netanyahu’s supporters.Much of the Israeli opposition to Netanyahu was personal. “Citizens of Israel are all looking to us now, and the burden of proof is upon us,” Bennett said.The millionaire former high-tech entrepreneur faces a tough test maintaining an unwieldy coalition from the political right, left and center.The coalition, including a small Islamist faction that is making history as the first Arab party to sit in a coalition, agree on little beyond their opposition to Netanyahu.